Beans fuel quick meals and rising Maine wellness trend via ham soup

Across these pieces, beans are celebrated as inexpensive, protein-rich staples that power quick weeknight meals—from versatile canned black bean dishes and hearty soups to beans on toast or jacket potatoes—and as a rising cultural and wellness phenomenon in Maine. Included are practical, one-pot or slow-cooker recipes and tips for using leftovers such as ham to make comforting, budget-friendly soups.